Feller buncher including double bunk trailer

ABSTRACT

A tree feller skidder including a mobile self-propelled articulated vehicle having a boom mounted thereon having a felling head pivotally attached to the free end of the outermost boom section for felling trees and loading the same onto a pair of horizontally spaced bunks. The pair of bunks are interconnected by an articulated frame for moving the bunks in a direction toward and away from one another and simultaneously with moving the trailing bunk toward the bunk located forwardly thereof it is lowered, dropping the trailing end of a load of trees onto the ground facilitating unloading the same by moving the entire vehicle forward. The pair of bunks, in one instance, are mounted upon a trailer and, in another instance, one bunk is mounted on and carried by the vehicle with the trailing bunk located on a trailer attached to the vehicle. The forwardly located bunk includes crescent-shaped arms pivotally mounted thereon or other means associated therewith for anchoring a load of trees to the bunk, retaining the trees in position relative to such bunk during movement of the other bunk in a direction toward the same. Movement of the rear bunk toward the front bunk is effected by retracting the articulated member interconnecting the same and, in so doing, the pivotally connected portion of the articulated member passes up between the load on the bunks. This, in one instance, is facilitated by load dividers located on the bunk and/or articulated member.

United States Patent 1 51 Apr. 25, 1972 Hamilton [54] FELLER BUNCHERINCLUDING DOUBLE BUNK TRAILER [72] Inventor: Douglas D. Hamilton, MountRoyal,

Canada [73] Assignees: Canadian International Paper Company, Montreal,Quebec; Quebec North Shore Paper Company, Quebec; Ste. Anne PaperCompany Limited, Beaupre, Quebec, Canada, part interest to each [22]Filed: Jan. 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 7,088

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 5, 1969 Canada ..042,057

[52] US. Cl. ..144/309 AC, 214/506, 298/20 R [51] Int. Cl ..AOlg 23/02[58] Field ofSearch ..214/3 11,501,506; 298/20 R, 298/20 A; 144/309 AC,2 2,3 D, 34 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,112,2013/1938 Larison ..298/20 A 3,498,347 3/1970 Vit ..144/3 D 3,533,45810/1970 McColl ..144/3 D 2,860,005 11/1958 Webster ..298/20 R 3,527,2719/1970 Chateauneuf ..144/3 D FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 141,6892/1961 U.S.S.R ..144/3 D Primary Examiner-Gerald A. DostAttorney-Jacobi, Lilling & Siegel [57] ABSTRACT A tree feller skidderincluding a mobile self-propelled articulated vehicle having a boommounted thereon having a felling head pivotally attached to the free endofthe outermost boom section for felling trees and loading the same ontoa pair of horizontally spaced bunks. The pair of bunks areinterconnected by an articulated frame for moving the bunks in adirection toward and away from one another and simultaneously withmoving the trailing bunk toward the bunk located forwardly thereof it islowered, dropping the trailing end of a load of trees onto the groundfacilitating unloading the same by moving the entire vehicle forward.The pair of bunks. in one instance, are mounted upon a trailer and, inanother instance, one bunk is mounted on and carried by the vehicle withthe trailing bunk located on a trailer attached to the vehicle. Theforwardly located bunk includes crescent-shaped arms pivotally mountedthereon or other means associated therewith for anchoring a load oftrees to the bunk, retaining the trees in position relative to such bunkduring movement of the other bunk in a direction toward the same.Movement of the rear bunk toward the front bunk is effected byretracting the articulated member interconnecting the same and, in sodoing, the pivotally connected portion of the articulated member passesup between the load on the bunks. This, in one instance, is facilitatedby load dividers located on the bunk and/or articulated member.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 25 I972 v ShEET 1 BF 5 u, R OMH OT N m w W MIIIITI W M A o VI 58 M G u o D PATENTEDAPR 25 |972 SHEET 5OF 5 ATTORNEY FELLER BUNCI-IER INCLUDING DOUBLE BUNK TRAILER Thisinvention relates to an apparatus for handling loads of varying lengthsincluding long loads and particularly relates to such apparatus for usewith tree harvesting and/or processing machines or the like.

One type of tree harvesting machine to which the invention relates isthe felling'loading type. One such type machine which includes a fellinghead on the end of an extendible and retractable boom secured to aself-propelled mobile vehicle as disclosed in Canadian Pat. Nos. 837,395and 840,775 issued, respectively, Mar. 24, 1970 and May 5, 1970. Theforegoing machines, as well as others, skid their loads by moving thevehicle while supporting one end of the trees on a bunk arrangementattached to the vehicle with the opposite ends of the tree supporteddirectly on the ground. The bunk arrangement, as is already know,includes securing means for a first layer of trees placed on the bunk soas to form a platform or tray upon which further trees are piled.

An important advantage of machines of the aforementioned type is theirability to handle long loads particularly in respect of unloading. Inthis regard the load may be discharged quickly from the machine while onthe move and in such a way as to avoid undue scattering of the loadwhich is most important from the point of view of further efficienthandling of the same trees. Control for the unloading operation isperformed from the prime mover operators station.

A further important feature of the foregoing machines is theirmanoeuverability in confined spaces.

Machines of the aforementioned type have proven most efficient whendesigned for load carrying capacities of trees which will produce fromone to one-half cunits of processed wood and when working in a cuttingarea a given distance from tree processing equipment to which theydeliver their loads.

lt will be appreciated that as the distance between the cutting area andthe tree processing equipment increases, the travel time in hauling theload to the processing equipment increases and thus contributes toinefficiency in the operation particularly when handling small loads.Economic studies have shown that this inefficiency may be compensated byincreasing the load carrying capacity of the machine. Based on woodlandsoperation studies, it has been found advisable to increase such loadcarrying capacities by as much as 200 percent, namely trees which willproduce from two to three cunits of processed wood.

Engineering studies have been carried out on such machines, namely thosewhich skid their loads, with a view to increasing their load handlingcapacities by such amounts mentioned and have shown in one aspect,considerable increased power demand which results in lower efficiency ofthe machine. However, by substituting a trailer means in place of theskidding means, it has been found appreciably little increase in powerdemand is required and thus efficiency of the machine is maintained. Thedistinction to be noted here is one of load carrying capacity versusload handling capacity. To provide additional carrying capacity, it isnecessary to carry more of the loads weight on the vehicle and with longloads, as the trees are, a trailer arrangement is necessary. A number oftree harvesting machines which include trailer means are known asexemplified by Swedish Pat. No. 217,319 issued to S511 Nov. 28, 1967;US. Pat. No. 3,269,436 issued to Moore Aug. 30, 1966; and US. Pat. No.3,340,912 issued to Williams etal., Sept. 12,1967.

In all of the foregoing patented devices, a trailer of various designsis disclosed, and are, except for Swedish Pat. No. 217,319 in oneaspect, designed for long loads. A prime disadvantage common to theforegoing examples and other known trailers designed specifically forhandling long loads, is their inability to discharge their loads inconfined spaces and at the same time deposit the loads onto the groundor the like in such a way as to avoid scattering of the load.

A particular example in respect of confined spaces in which machines inaccordance with the present invention must manoeuver during unloading isat a tree processing landing wherein a processing machine operatesbetween a row of processed trees and a row of unprocessed trees. In suchan instance, trees to be processed are hauled and dumped in a row havingthe butt ends thereof substantially in alignment and at a selecteddistance from the row of processed trees. The butt end of the trees arethe closest to the row of processed trees and since the trees aredragged by their butt end it is necessary for the skidder vehicle tounload in the space between the two rows. The space is selected such asto suit the processing machine, i.e. so that the processing-machinesmovement is limited to one which is parallel to the row of processedtrees.

It will be readily appreciated that having the rows of processed andunprocessed trees in fixed spaced relationship relative to one anotherand requiring the long loads to be dumped in the fashion described,particularly from a trailing arrangement, and having limited space formanoeuvering the load carrier, particularly against a wall of processedtrees, requires a vehicle which possesses both a long wheel base forsupporting the long loads and a short wheel base to provide a smallturning circle in the confined space.

Another disadvantage of the prior art devices is that the trailer itselfengages the entire load with no contact being made between the load(logs or trees) and the self-propelled vehicle. In such an arrangement,the load does not contribute to transferring any forces from the trailerto the vehicle.

Machines for hauling logs having a trailing load-supporting unit movablerelative to further carrying means attached to or mounted on a tractorare known as exemplified by US. Pat. Nos. 3,028,030 issued to M. WylieApr. 3, 1962; 2,820,557 issued to R. Emanuel Jan. 21, 1958; and2,540,803 issued to R. R. Alexander et al., Feb. 6, 1951. In each of thelatter patented structures the trailing load-supporting member issupported upon wheeled units which are slidable along a beam or reachtoward the forward load-carrying means.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide improvementsin devices of the latter patented structures with some improvementrelating to means for interconnecting the rearward and forwardload-carrying members consisting of an articulated reach connected tothe rear load-carrying assembly in such a manner that the latter istipped to facilitate depositing the trailing end of the load on theground prior to removing the load from the forward load-carryingassembly.

A further principal object of the present invention is to provide aload-transporting assembly with an improved method of unloading thesame. Accordingly, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, thereis provided a method of discharging a load from a trailer means havingtwo spaced apart load supports comprising the steps of anchoring theload to one of said supports, moving the other of said load supports ina direction toward the first-mentioned support thereby shortening theeffective length of the apparatus and simultaneously with shortening theeffective length, lowering the end of the load remote from the anchoredend portion onto the ground, releasing the anchored end portion of theload and removing said trailer means in a direction away from the loadengaged by the ground to discharge the entire load from said supports.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided aload-handling apparatus comprising in combination:

a. a mobile prime mover including an operator station and a firstload-supporting means attached to said prime mover;

b. a second load-supporting means, including a bunk pivotally mounted onground engaging means and positionable in selected spaced relationrelative to said first load-supporting means;

0. extendible and retractable frame means interconnecting said secondload-supporting means and said prime mover to selectively variouslyadjust the spacing between said supports;

d. means supporting said bunk on said second support lowering the samein response to retraction of said frame;

e. power means to move said second load-supporting means relative tosaid prime mover; and

f. means to effect controlled operation of said power means.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided theforegoing aspect including a boom means having a grapple means orfelling head means secured to the free end thereof.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a loadhandling apparatus comprising in combination:

a. at least a pair of load-supporting means positionable in selectedspaced relation relative to one another and each being supported onground-engaging means;

b. frame means interconnecting said pair of load-supporting means;

c. motor means to move at least one of said load-supporting meansrelative to the other;

d. means to interconnect one of said load-supporting means or groundengaging means to a prime mover; and

e. means to effect controlled operation of said motor means.

It is thus appreciated that in one aspect the apparatus is selfcontainedand may be attached to any type of prime mover and in another aspect iscombined with a prime mover, the latter providing a compact arrangementaffording good manoeuverability characteristics.

An important feature of the present invention concerns the position ofthe load-supporting means, at the trailing end of the trailer means, inrespect of the ground supporting means. In the preferred form, theload-supporting means is positioned in such a way that it provides, whensupporting a load, a positive moment about said ground-supporting meansand thus assists the movement of the ground-supporting means in adirection towards the prime mover, thus reducing the power requirementfor effecting such movement.

Another important feature of the present invention concerns theground-supporting means which in one aspect may feature wheels which aresprung or unsprung and are powered directly by motor means within thewheels, or indirectly by propeller drive shaft means connected to asuitable power source.

A further feature which may be added to the apparatus, if desired, is ameans to retain the full load adjacent either or both of the saidload-supporting means, such means may include grapple means.

Yet a further important feature of the invention disclosed is theability to load the trailer means from a point directly above the same.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detaileddescription hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation part sectional view of a load handlingapparatus in accordance with the present invention with the full lineshowing the trailer means portion in extended position for load carryingand the retracted position of the trailer means portion when dischargingthe load in dotted line;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational, partial sectional view of the bunk mountedon the rear chassis of the vehicle illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a part sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a part sectional oblique view of a load-handling apparatusillustrating a further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a still further embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a partial oblique view of the load dividing and supportingmeans shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a load handlingapparatus 10 consisting of a prime mover including a boom assemblyhaving a tree felling head mounted on the free end thereof, aload-supporting bunk mounted adjacent the trailing end of the primemover and a trailer arrangement60 supported at its trailing end by anaxle and wheel assembly 70 having a second load-supporting bunksupported thereon.

The prime mover 20 may be of any type or of the articulated chassis typeas illustrated. An operator's station 21 is shown mounted on the forwardchassis 22 of the vehicle, and includes controls for both the primemover and the auxiliaries namely the boom assembly 30, the tree fellinghead 40, the trailer arrangement 60 and the load-supporting bunk 50. Thevehicle is supported on axles which may be pivotally. connected to thechassis as disclosed in, for example, Canadian Pat. No. 797,644 Symonsissued Oct. 29, 1968, or alternatively rigidly connected to the chassis,in which case rolling movement between the chassis is taken out at thearticulated chassis connector.

The boom assembly 30 is pivotally mounted for controlled movement abouta substantially vertical axis on the trailing chassis 23 of the primemover 20. It may bemounted at any alternative convenient location on theprime mover 20 or trailer arrangement 60. In particular it may bemounted on the prime mover directly above the operators station beingsuitably controlled therefrom as, for example, disclosed in US.application Ser. No. 760,274 filed Sept. 16, 1968 and now U.S. Pat. No.3,601,169. The boom assembly 30 may be of any suitable type or acommercially available knuckle type as illustrated. The particular boomillustrated is one known and marketed under the trade name ROTOBOOM bythe John Deere Company. It comprises a post member 31 suitably mountedfor rotary movement in a base housing 32 and controlled from theoperators station 21. An example of such suitable mounting and controlis disclosed in the aforementioned Canadian Pat. No. 837,395. A firstboom member 33 is pivotally connected to post member 31 by a suitablepivot connection 34. A second boom member 35 is pivotally secured to thefirst boom member 33 by a pivot pin 36. Relative movement between theboom members 33 and 35 and the post member 31 is effected by respectivefluid cylinders 37 and 38 suitably mounted thereto and thereby controlthe positioning of the felling head 40 in respect of the prime mover 20.The felling head 40 may be of any suitable type as, for example, thetype disclosed in Canadian Pat. No. 791,445 issued Aug. 6, 1968, andmounted on boom member 35 in the manner disclosed in the lattermentioned patent. Alternatively, the felling head 40 may be substitutedby a grapple means of any suitable known type. Such grapple means may beused to supplement load retaining means which may be incorporated in theload-supporting bunk 50.

It will, therefore,be appreciated that the boom assembly 30 is mountedand controlled such that it will position the felling head 40 adjacent astanding tree located a selected distance from the apparatus 10 andsubsequently fell and. load the tree onto the load-supporting bunks 50and 80 respectively.

The load-supporting bunk 50 is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,289,865issued Dec. 6, 1966, and is of the type including load-retaining meansthereon. As mentioned previously, one embodiment of the presentinvention discloses a pair of loadsupporting bunks one of which includesfull load or partial load-retaining means and this is a particularlyimportant feature in respect of discharging the load from the trailermeans as will be more fully appreciated from the descriptionhereinafter.

The load-supporting bunk 50 is pivotally mounted in a fifth wheelfashion for movement about a substantially vertical axis via a pivot pin51 mounted on a portion of the vehicle trailing chassis 23. Theload-supporting bunk 50 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and is generallydefined by a pair of vertically disposed end posts 52 and a horizontallydisposed deck 53 extending therebetween. The bunk includes two pairs oftongs 54 and 54A forming one pair and tongs 55 and 55A forming thesecond pair. Tong 54 is pivotally mounted on pin 54B, tong 54A ispivotally mounted on pin 54C, tong 55 is pivotally mounted on pin 55Band tong 55A is pivotally mounted on pin 55C. The pins are suitablyanchored to the structural members forming the deck. A hydraulicpiston-cylinder assembly 56 is pivotally connected at opposed endsrespectively to tongs 54 and 54A such that tongs 54 and 54A arefree-iloatingly interconnected. Similarly, tongs 55 and 55A areinterconnected by a hydraulic pistoncylinder assembly 57. The tongs arearcuate shaped and by suitable actuation of hydraulic assemblies 56 and57, individual trees or groups of trees may be anchored to the bunk athorizontally spaced positions and released for unloading or receivingfurther trees.

Alternatively, the load-supporting bunk 50 may be substituted byload-supporting bunk 80 described hereinafter, in which case theload-retaining means may consist of choker means such as a chain or thelike or alternatively the grapple or another grapple connected to theboom 30 previously described.

The trailer assembly 60 consists of a pair of frame members 61 and 62pivotally interconnected by a pin 63 which members, if desired and asillustrated, may be the same as boom members 33 and 35. Such anarrangement affords a saving in the number of different componentsmaking up the apparatus 10. A hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 64 ispivotally connected at one end by a pin 65 to member 61 and at the otherend by a pair of levers 66A and 6613 respectively to members 65 and 62.Electric motor means or the like may be substituted for fluid cylinder64 if desired.

Frame member 61 is pivotally connected to the portion 24 of the vehiclechassis 23 by a connector assembly 90 permitting the load-supportingbunk 80 and members 61 and 62 to rotate relative to the load-supportingbunk 50 about a pair of substantially horizontal axes positioned normalto one another namely axes passing through pivot pins 91 and 92respectively. Pivot pin 91 passes through apertures 91A in frame member61 and apertures 923 in a U-shaped member 95. Pivot pin 92 is rigidlysecured to the U-shaped member 95 by welding or the like and passesthrough aperture 96 in thrust bearing 97, and is held in position by anut 98 and lock nut 98A threaded onto the pin 92.

The load-supporting bunk 80 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 comprises agenerally U-shaped member 81 secured to a wheel and axle assembly 82 bya pair of strut members 81A and 81B that are welded or otherwisestructurally secured to member 81 and the assembly 82. The wheel andaxle assembly 82 includes a main axle shaft member 82A having a pair ofground engaging wheels 82B journalled thereon. The wheels are located atopposed ends of the shaft member 82A and are journalled thereon bybearing assemblies in any well-known manner. A first pair of strutmembers 85 and 86 connect the axle shaft 82A to the frame member 62reinforcing the assembly to prevent relative movement of the axlerelative to the member 82. A second pair of strut members 83 and 84interconnect member 81 and member 62 providing further reinforcement forthe assembly.

In referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, it will be readily seen that byactuation of the fluid piston-cylinder assembly 64, the trailerarrangement 60 wheel base may be selectively shortened or lengthened, bypivoting members 61 and 62 relative to one another about pivot pin 63and thus loads of various lengths may be accommodated on theload-supporting bunks 80 and 50 respectively, or alternatively byactuating fluid piston-cylinder assembly 64 to lengthen the same, theloadsupporting bunk 80 may be drawn towards the load supporting bunk 50,being assisted particularly if loaded by the load itself by virtue ofthe moment caused thereby about the axle assembly 82. This moment iscaused by having, as previously in dicated, the bunk member 81 locatedrearwardly of the axle 82A (see FIG. 1). It will be readily apparent themoment about the axle caused by the load on the rearwardly located bunkassists in the discharge of the load from the apparatus by lowering thetrailing end of the load during retraction of the articulated connectioninterconnecting the front and rear bunks. During actuation of fluidpiston-cylinder assembly 64, load retaining means (arms 54, 54A, 55 and55A) of load-supporting bunk 50 restrains movement of the trees fromforces applied to the trees by movement of the bunk assembly 80. Afterthe bunk has been moved forwardly toward bunk 50, the load retainingmeans on the latter may be released and the prime mover 20 drivenforward in a direction away from the load to unload the same. The loadwill contact the ground in such a way as to prevent undue scattering ofthe same. Equally important will be the fact that such unloadingoperation has been accomplished with minimum forward movement of theprime mover 20 thus allowing the apparatus 10 to manoeuver in a confinedspace during the total unloading operation. The retracted wheel baseposition, i.e. bunk 80 moved forward toward bunk 50 may be maintainedfor convenience during travelling without a load.

In referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a modified loadhandlingapparatus 100 of a four-wheeled trailer type and having load-supportingbunks 50 and 80 mounted thereon. In this embodiment of the invention,means is provided for independent attachment of the apparatus to anysuitable type of prime mover. It further affords the convenience that inthe event that the prime mover is a multi-function machine such as, forexample, a tree felling-loading machine, besides being a tractor unit,it may remain in a selected location for further felling activity whenthe trailer becomes fully loaded. Thus the trailer not being part of theprime mover is simply unhitched for subsequent towing to a furtherselected location, namely a tree processing landing.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 5, the trailer arrangement 100 consistsof previously described trailer assembly 60 connected to a front bogy200 by a connector assembly 100 which may be substantially the same asconnector assembly 90. The connector assembly 100 includes a yoke member101 pivotally connected to member 61 by pin 91 and pivotally connectedat the opposite end portion to a frame assembly 300, the latter pivotaxis extending longitudinally of the trailer. The housing assembly 300is supported on the bogy 200 by a turntable assembly 301 includingface-to-face abutting plates 302 and 303 on respective assemblies 300and 200 and a pivot pin 304. Pivot pin 304 allows the bogy 200 to pivotabout a substantially vertical axis allowing the trailer 100 to turn.The bogy 200 consists of a wheel and axle assembly 201 having a pair ofwheels 202 journalled thereon and a drawbar 203. A pair of strut members204 are secured to the axle 201 and bearing plate 302 of the turntable.The drawbar 203 includes a pair of strut members 204 and 205 connectedby welding or other suitable means to the axle 201 at one end and toeach other via a ball coupling member 206 at the other end, the ballbeing adapted to be connected to a captive ball socket on a prime mover.Mounted on the forward end of member 300 and rigidly secured thereto isa bunk assembly 50 having tree engaging and anchoring arms 54, 54A, etc.thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in one form the modification ineludes loaddivider uprights 500, 501 and 502 secured respectively to the front bunk50, member 62, and the rear bunk 80. The load dividers project upwardlyfrom the respective members and are located approximately in alignmentsubstantially along the central axis of the trailer. The load dividersmay each be tapered upwardly to terminate in a relatively narrow upperend portion 503, if desired, as illustrated in the drawings. The use ofthree dividers afiords controlled load distribution preventing movementof the total load from one side of the load-supporting bunks to theother and thus, in some circumstances, may provide improved stability.The load divider 501 also serves to separate the load on the bunksproviding an opening for receiving frame members 61 and 62 when thelatter are pivoted relative to one another to a loaddischarge position.It will be readily apparent, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, in a fullydischarge position the members 61 and 62 are substantially vertical withthe pivotally connected ends being located vertically above the load.

In a still further alternative embodiment, load dividers 500 and 502 maybe omitted, using only the divider 501 secured to member 62 serving thedual function of a load divider and load separator forming a paththrough the load for members 61 and 62 to follow during pivoting of onerelative to the other.

In a still further alternative embodiment, the member 501 may besubstantially shorter than that illustrated in FIG. 6 such that it doesnot serve as a load divider with the vehicle in a fully extendedposition but serves to separate the load during discharge of the same byforming a passage throughthe load to receive the members 61 and 62.

FIG. 7 illustrates a load of trees on the vehicle which includesportions A and B separated by the load dividers 500, 501 and 502. Thespace between load portions A and B should preferably be at least asgreat as the width of members 61 and 62 to permit ready passage of thesame between the load portions during collapsing of the trailer.

In the foregoing embodiments, the front bunk 50 has retaining meansconsisting of arcuate arms pivotally mounted on the bunk and actuated byhydraulic cylinder assemblies. Obviously, the arcuate arms may bedisposed of in place of some other suitable anchoring means such aschoker assemblies or the like.

In a still further alternative embodiment, the front bunk 50 may be thesame as rear bunk 80, that is, devoid of tree retaining means in whichcase the trees may be held in position at the will of the operator byclampingly engaging the load with the grapple of the felling headassembly 40. Alternatively, in a still further embodiment, the fellinghead 40 may be replaced by a single grapple for use in loading treesonto the vehicle and the grapple, and in such event, may be ofsufficient size as to embrace at least a major portion of the load.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, theprime mover 20 including trailer arrangement 60 is driven into an areaof standing trees. The operator seated in operators station 21,positions the prime mover 20 such that the boom assembly 30 may beextended to allow the felling head 40 to engage and sever a standingtree which issubsequently manoeuvered into position on load supportingbunks 50 and 80. Load-retaining means on the supporting bunk 50 may beactuated to secure the load or part of it as it is placed upon the loadsupporting bunks. The fluid cylinder 63 may be activated in order toadjust the loading bunk 80 positioned relative to loading bunk 50 so asto best accommodate the load length. Once the trailer arrangement 60becomes filled to capacity, it is towed by the prime mover to a selectedlocation whereupon the load is discharged in the manner as previouslydescribed. A similar method of operation applies to the combination ofprime mover 20 or any other prime mover and either of the trailerarrangements shown in FIGS. or 6 except in the latter instance thetrailer may be detached from the prime mover when desired and theoperation of felling and collecting trees continued by using anothersimilar trailer.

Power for the various actuators is transmitted by suitable means from apower means located on the prime mover 20 and is suitably controlledfrom the operators station 21. The various actuators may be asillustrated or other suitable means within the purview of a skilledmechanic. Although no specific power means, power transmitting means, orcontrol means for the various actuators has been illustrated, they maycomprise for example as follows; a fluid pump drivingly connected to theprime movers power means and being piped or hosed to the prime moversfluid supply. The fluid power from the pump may be carried by suitablepiping or hosing to the various actuators via suitable flow controlvalves located within operators station 21. The latter mentioned pipingor hosing should include quick-release type connectors at the connectionpoint between the prime mover 20 and the applicable trailer arrangementsas shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 so as to facilitate simple hitching andunhitching operations.

It will be appreciated that the wheels of the trailer may be powered ifdesired such as by a motor means incorporated directly within each wheelor by a prop shaft drive powered from a source on the prime mover 20.

I claim:

1. A load-handling apparatus comprising in combination:

a. a mobile prime mover including an operators station;

b. a first load-supporting means attached to said prime mover;

c. a second load-supporting means carried on ground engaging meansseparate from said prime mover and positionable in various selectedspaced positions relative thereto;

d. retractable and extendible frame means interconnecting said secondload-supporting means to said prime mover comprising a first framemember pivotally connected to a second frame member for articulatemovement about a substantially horizontal axis, said motor means beingconnected to each of members effecting movement of said first framemember relative to said second frame member, one of said frame membersbeing rigidly connected to said second load-supporting means and theother member being connected to said prime mover for pivotal movementabout a pair of substantially horizontal axes positioned normal to oneanother;

e. means vertically lowering said second support means in response toretraction of said frame;

f. power means to move said first and second load-supporting meansrelative to one another to vary the distance therebetween; and

g. means to effect controlled operation of said power means.

2. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 including meansto'divide a load along an axis parallel to its length when placed onsaid load-supporting means so as to facilitate movement of said framemeans interconnecting said second loadsupporting means and said primemover between said load.

3. A load-handling apparatus comprising in combination:

a. a mobile prime mover including an operator's station;

b. a first load-supporting means comprising a bunk having load anchoringmeans attached thereto and operable from said operators stationselectively to grasp and release a load of trees or the like thereon,attached to said prime mover;

c. a second load-supporting means carried on ground engaging meansseparate from said prime mover and positionable in various selectedspaced positions relative thereto;

d. retractable and extendible frame means interconnecting said secondload-supporting means to said prime mover;

e. means vertically lowering said second support means in response toretraction of said frame whereby a load carried on said first and secondload-supporting means in a frame extended position and anchored to thebunk of the first load-supporting means by said load anchoring means islowered as the load projects beyond the second loadsupporting meansduring retraction of the frame facilitating unloading of said load;

f. power means to move said first and second load-supponing meansrelative to one another to vary the distance therebetween; and

g. means to efiect controlled operation of said power means.

4. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of saidfirst and second load-supporting means includes a substantially U-shapedframe for receiving and retaining a load of trees.

5. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said firstload-supporting means is pivotally mounted on the prime mover forselected movement about a substantially vertical axis.

6. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 3, including motordrive means mounted in said wheels for propelling the same along theground.

7. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said secondload-supporting means includes a portion engaging the load carriedthereby at a position having a greater distance from the first supportmeans than the spacing between said first support and the said groundengaging means causing a moment tending to move said ground engagingmeans toward said first load supporting means.

8. A load handling apparatus comprising in combination:

a. a mobile prime mover including an operator's station;

b. a first load-supporting means attached to said prime mover;

c. a second load-supporting means carried on ground engaging meansseparate from said prime mover and positionable in various selectedspaced positions relative thereto;

d. retractable and extendible frame means interconnecting said secondload-supporting means to said prime mover;

e. means vertically lowering said second support means in response toretraction of said frame;

f. power means to move said first and second load-supporting meansrelative to one another to vary the distance therebetween;

g. means to effect controlled operation of said power means; and

h. load-dividing apparatus comprising a rigid upwardly directed post oneach of said first and second load supports and the extendible andretractable frame interconnecting the same.

9. A first and second pair of load-carrying bunks each supported uponwheels, tracks, or the like assemblies interconnected and held in spacedrelationship by an extendible and retractable member, said first bunkhaving means thereon positively gripping all or part of a load of treescarried by said pair of bunks to hold the load fixed relative to saidfirst bunk while the second bunk is moved toward the first by retractingsaid member and means mounting second bunk on the supporting wheelsassociated therewith, lowering said second bunk simultaneously withretraction of said member.

10. A load-carrying apparatus as defined in claim 9 characterized inthat said second bunk is positioned vertically above the support meansassociated therewith and at a horizontal position relative thereto suchthat a load thereon tends to rotate the bunk in a direction opposite tothe movement of the bunk as it is drawn toward the first bunk creating apositive moment assisting in overcoming the restriction to forwardmotion of the second bunk.

111. A method of discharging a load from a trailer means having spacedapart load supports comprising the steps of:

a. anchoring the load to one of said supports;

b. moving the other of said load-supporting means in a first directiontoward the support having the load anchored thereto, thereby shorteningthe effective length of the apparatus;

c. lowering said other load-supporting means, depositing the end of theload projecting therebeyond onto the ground;

d. releasing the anchor of said load; and

' e. moving said trailer means in said first direction to discharge theload from said supports.

12. A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said other load-supportingmeans is lowered in response to movement of the latter in said firstdirection toward the support on which the load is anchored.

3222253? mm; STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,658 104 I Dated April 25 1972 Inventor-(5) Douglas D. Hamilton It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the first or front page of this patent in the left hand column underparagraph number [731, Assignees: lines 3 and 4, "Ste. Anne 7 PaperCompany Limited," should read Abitibi S t-I. Anne Paper Ltd v .Signedand sealed this 12th da of March 197i.

(SR-AL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attestir'lg Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A load-handling apparatus comprising in combination: a. a mobileprime mover including an operator''s station; b. a first load-supportingmeans attached to said prime mover; c. a second load-supporting meanscarried on ground engaging means separate from said prime mover andpositionable in various selected spaced positions relative thereto; d.Retractable and extendible frame means interconnecting said secondload-supporting means to said prime mover comprising a first framemember pivotally connected to a second frame member for articulatemovement about a substantially horizontal axis, said motor means beingconnected to each of members effecting movement of said first framemember relative to said second frame member, one of said frame membersbeing rigidly connected to said second load-supporting means and theother member being connected to said prime mover for pivotal movementabout a pair of substantially horizontal axes positioned normal to oneanother; e. means vertically lowering said second support means inresponse to retraction of said frame; f. power means to move said firstand second load-supporting means relative to one another to vary thedistance therebetween; and g. means to effect controlled operation ofsaid power means.
 2. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1including means to divide a load along an axis parallel to its lengthwhen placed on said load-supporting means so as to facilitate movementof said frame means interconnecting said second load-supporting meansand said prime mover between said load.
 3. A load-handling apparatuscomprising in combination: a. a mobile prime mover including anoperator''s station; b. a first load-supporting means comprising a bunkhaving load anchoring means attached thereto and operable from saidoperator''s station selectively to grasp and release a load of trees orthe like thereon, attached to said prime mover; c. a secondload-supporting means carried on ground engaging means separate fromsaid prime mover and positionable in various selected spaced positionsrelative thereto; d. retractable and extendible frame meansinterconnecting said second load-supporting means to said prime mover;e. means vertically lowering said second support means in response toretraction of said frame whereby a load carried on said first and secondload-supporting means in a frame extended position and anchored to thebunk of the first load-supporting means by said load anchoring means islowered as the load projects beyond the second load-supporting meansduring retraction of the frame facilitating unloading of said load; f.power means to move said first and second load-supporting means relativeto one another to vary the distance therebetween; and g. means to effectcontrolled operation of said power means.
 4. A load-handling apparatusas defined in claim 3 wherein each of said first and secondload-supporting means includes a substantially U-shaped frame forreceiving and retaining a load of trees.
 5. A load-handling apparatus asdefined in claim 3 wherein said first load-supporting means is pivotallymounted on the prime mover for selected movement about a substantiallyvertical axis.
 6. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim 3,including motor drive means mounted in said wheels for propelling thesame along the ground.
 7. A load-handling apparatus as defined in claim3 wherein said second load-supporting means includes a portion engagingthe load carried thereby at a position having a greater distance fromthe first support means than the spacing between said first support andthe said ground engaging means causing a moment tending to move saidground engaging means toward said first load supporting means.
 8. A loadhandling apparatus comprising in combination: a. a mobile prime moverincluding an operator''s station; b. a first load-supporting meansattached to said prime mover; c. a second load-supporting means carriedon ground engaging means separate from said prime mover and positionablein various selected spaced positions relative thereto; d. retractableand extendible frame means interconnecting said second load-supportingmeans to said prime mover; e. means vertically lowering said secondsupport means in response to rEtraction of said frame; f. power means tomove said first and second load-supporting means relative to one anotherto vary the distance therebetween; g. means to effect controlledoperation of said power means; and h. load-dividing apparatus comprisinga rigid upwardly directed post on each of said first and second loadsupports and the extendible and retractable frame interconnecting thesame.
 9. A first and second pair of load-carrying bunks each supportedupon wheels, tracks, or the like assemblies interconnected and held inspaced relationship by an extendible and retractable member, said firstbunk having means thereon positively gripping all or part of a load oftrees carried by said pair of bunks to hold the load fixed relative tosaid first bunk while the second bunk is moved toward the first byretracting said member and means mounting second bunk on the supportingwheels associated therewith, lowering said second bunk simultaneouslywith retraction of said member.
 10. A load-carrying apparatus as definedin claim 9 characterized in that said second bunk is positionedvertically above the support means associated therewith and at ahorizontal position relative thereto such that a load thereon tends torotate the bunk in a direction opposite to the movement of the bunk asit is drawn toward the first bunk creating a positive moment assistingin overcoming the restriction to forward motion of the second bunk. 11.A method of discharging a load from a trailer means having spaced apartload supports comprising the steps of: a. anchoring the load to one ofsaid supports; b. moving the other of said load-supporting means in afirst direction toward the support having the load anchored thereto,thereby shortening the effective length of the apparatus; c. loweringsaid other load-supporting means, depositing the end of the loadprojecting therebeyond onto the ground; d. releasing the anchor of saidload; and e. moving said trailer means in said first direction todischarge the load from said supports.
 12. A method as defined in claim11 wherein said other load-supporting means is lowered in response tomovement of the latter in said first direction toward the support onwhich the load is anchored.